Having a student with cerebral palsy in the regular classroom has its challenges. Cerebral palsy can range from mild to severe and has many symptoms. Usually the impairment is caused by an injury occurring in the brain during the prenatal stage or at birth, however it can also be related to genetic factors. When the student has limited mobility, it can require the classroom teacher to make significant changes to the classroom layout and curriculum.
Types of Cerebral Palsy in Children
WebMd describes the different types of cerebral palsy in detail, but the general classifications are as follows:
- Spastic Cerebral Palsy is presented by a tightening of the muscles. Children with spastic cerebral palsy experience stiff, inflexible joints and a lack of coordination. Spasticity can be mild or severe and can affect only one arm or leg, or all limbs (spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy).
- Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy is nonspastic in nature and is indicated when muscle tone alternates between loose and tight. A child with dyskinetic cerebral palsy may experience involuntary movements in any part of the body including the face. These movements increase when the child is under stress.
- Ataxia is a type of cerebral palsy in which balance and ability to walk is affected, as well as eye to hand coordination. A child with ataxic cerebral palsy will also experience uncontrollable movements in some or all parts of the body.
- Some children with cerebral palsy will have symptoms from all types of the disability. This is known as Mixed Cerebral Palsy.
Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy in Kids
Teachers may find that knowing some of the symptoms in kids with cerebral palsy will be helpful when planning the school year, classroom design, seating arrangements, and curriculum activities. Children with cerebral palsy may exhibit any of these additional issues:
- Speech disorders
- Muscle coordination problems
- Seizures
- Incontinence
- Joint and muscle pain/weakness
- Drooling
- Developmental delays
- Learning disabilities
- Hearing impairments
- Vision impairments
- Greater incidence of choking
- Higher risk of accidents caused by lack of muscle control and limited mobility
- Involuntary movements of affected parts of the body including limbs, trunk, face, and neck
- Increased sensitivity to touch
- Increased susceptibility to severe illnesses such as pneumonia
How to Help Students With Cerebral Palsy
Helping students with cerebral palsy to succeed in the regular classroom is possible. Try some or all of the following suggestions.
- Prepare classmates for the arrival of a student with cerebral palsy.
- Teach students about any special equipment that the student might be using, and insure that others do not play with it.
- Assign classroom buddies to help.
- Create classroom layout that does not hinder mobility with a wheelchair.
- Make sure floor is clean and free from rugs or elevated surfaces that may cause child to trip.
- Use antibacterial cleaners, and keep students with illnesses away from child with cerebral palsy.
- Make accommodations such as allowing extra time to complete assignments.
- Work on verbal communication skills using role playing activities.
- Only offer help to student if asked.
- Invent ways of communication if mobility is severely impaired, such as alternatives to raising hands.
- Secure any necessary special adaptive tools such as pencil grips, and slanted writing surfaces.
- Make sure that student is being included in social parties, gatherings, and other group activities.
- Allow student to stretch and be as mobile as possible during class.
- Place the student near exits if possible, and take the appropriate steps if the child is also hearing impaired or has low vision.
A student with cerebral palsy will benefit greatly from the modifications and accommodations offered by teachers in the regular classroom. No matter the severity of the disability, children with cerebral palsy and limited mobility will still enjoy learning in a classroom setting, and gain much from the many opportunities for social interaction.
Readers may also be interested in learning about cerebral palsy characteristics and risk factors.
Other Sources:
Yanoff, Jerome C., The Classroom Teacher’s Inclusion Handbook. IL: Arthur Coyle Press, 2007.
Karen Plumley - Karen Plumley is a writer specializing in parenting and education. She works for Parenting NH and the Hippo, NH's most widely read ...
